Technology

Checkout.com enables first virtual card integration for Holiday Extras, slashing payment processing time by more than 1.5 days per week

Published

2 years ago

September 4, 2024

Checkout.com’s virtual card platform cuts Holiday Extras’ manual processing time by more than one and a half days per weekThis integration brings financial rewards through interchange fees and improved security with MCC-locked virtual cardsThis marks the first time Holiday Extras has implemented virtual cards, revolutionizing their payment processes and enhancing efficiency across the board

LONDON, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Checkout.com, a leading global digital payment solutions provider, has helped Holiday Extras streamline and increase the performance of their payment processes through the use of virtual cards, resulting in increased automation, improved operational efficiency, and positive financial outcomes.

Holiday Extras, the market leader in holiday extras, is used by more than 11 million travelers every year to book airport parking, airport hotels, airport lounges, travel insurance, car hire, airport transfers and more. By integrating Checkout.com’s issuing platform, Holiday Extras has automated their booking and payment systems, significantly reducing manual processing and simplifying their robust error-checking systems.

Before partnering with Checkout.com, Holiday Extras relied on entirely manual payment processes with their hotel, hospitality, and airline business partners, which caused inefficiencies. Manual batch bank wire transfers were previously required between Holiday Extras and their partners to confirm bookings and make payments, an area in which the two companies worked together to identify opportunities for technical improvements and significant efficiencies.

Successful implementation of this automated booking and payment system across the business is expected to reduce manual processing time by at least 12.5 hours per week, leading to substantial savings. Furthermore, the ability to lock virtual cards to specific Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) has also added an extra layer of security, reducing decline rates and enhancing overall customer and partner satisfaction.

Checkout.com provides a comprehensive virtual card issuing platform that seamlessly integrates into the booking system of partners. This integration allows Holiday Extras to issue virtual cards automatically to secure room bookings and make automatic payments to partners as soon as a customer makes a reservation on their website.

Holiday Extras is excited to use Checkout.com’s travel card proposition, which leverages virtual card technology as part of the Mastercard Wholesale Program, to pay their hotel partners. These cards enhance the partner payment experience, and offer a simpler cost structure as well as more card product and currency flexibility.

“Partnering with Checkout.com has transformed how we manage payments. The integration of virtual cards has not only streamlined our booking and payment processes but also enhanced security and efficiency. We’re excited to expand this solution further, improving the experience for partners and the performance of our customer journey.”, said Michelle Taylor, Account Payable Team Leader at Holiday Extras.

“At Checkout.com, we are committed to empowering businesses with innovative payment solutions that enhance the performance of payments and fuel growth. Our Issuing platform is designed to simplify complex payment processes, and we’re thrilled to see Holiday Extras benefiting from the automation and security. This collaboration enables Holiday Extras to provide an even smoother booking experience for its customers, ensuring secure and efficient transactions every time” said Antoine Nougué, Chief Revenue Officer at Checkout.com.

About Checkout.com
Checkout.com processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high-performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually.

With flexible and scalable technology, we help enterprise merchants boost acceptance rates, reduce processing costs, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver. Headquartered in London and with 16 offices worldwide, Checkout.com is trusted by leading brands such as Sony, Shein, Sainsbury’s, Wise, Patreon, GE Healthcare, Rail Europe, and The Financial Times.

Checkout.com. Where the world checks out.

About Holiday Extras
Holiday Extras is the UK market leader in airport parking, airport hotels, worldwide airport lounges, destination car hire, airport transfers and holiday insurance. Established in 1983, Holiday Extras makes bookings for over 8 million travellers each year. When booking with Holiday Extras, if plans change, no matter what the reason, Flextras ensures it will always be easy and free to cancel the booking and reschedule for another date. The company has been listed eleven times in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For.   

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/checkoutcom-enables-first-virtual-card-integration-for-holiday-extras-slashing-payment-processing-time-by-more-than-1-5-days-per-week-302237070.html

Technology

Chief Futurist Ian Beacraft to Keynote at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas on Designing AI-Ready Organizations

Published

11 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

AI is reshaping how value is created across the enterprise, but many organizations are still operating with models built for a pre-AI world. As a result, technology adoption alone is not translating into sustained impact. At the highly anticipated IT conference Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas, June 9–11 at the Bellagio, Info-Tech Research Group will feature keynote insights from Ian Beacraft, CEO and Chief Futurist at Signal and Cipher. Beacraft will share with thousands of CIOs, industry experts, and analysts in attendance how IT leaders can redesign work to better align with the demands of AI-driven change.

At Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas, Attendees Will Explore:

Why AI initiatives often fail to deliver value when applied to outdated ways of workingHow operating models, workflows, and decision-making must change to support AI at scaleWhere AI is being misapplied and limiting its impactWhat it takes to design organizations that can adapt alongside AI

LAS VEGAS, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Info-Tech Research Group is set to bring together thousands of CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and IT leaders at its upcoming flagship annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas. Taking place June 9–11 at the Bellagio, the 2026 program will guide attendees on how they can adapt their design and execution models to fully realize value from AI. As part of the agenda, the global research and advisory firm has announced that Ian Beacraft, CEO and Chief Futurist at Signal and Cipher, will deliver a mainstage keynote on how leaders can redesign workflows, team structures, and value creation models to better align with the demands of AI-driven change.

Known for making emerging technologies understandable and actionable, Beacraft has advised global enterprises, including Nike, Google, and Microsoft, on how to turn AI from a technical capability into a driver of performance, reimagine how work is designed, and prepare teams for the future of work.

As AI capabilities continue to expand, Info-Tech has been highlighting in its recent research and reports that expectations around how work is executed and how value is delivered are shifting just as quickly. Existing processes, team structures, and decision models were not designed for continuous, technology-driven change, creating friction as leaders attempt to scale AI effectively.

“Many organizations are trying to apply AI within working models where it isn’t well suited,” says Info-Tech Research Group’s Chief Research Officer, Gord Harrison. “Through Ian Beacraft’s keynote and the broader agenda at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas, leaders will better understand how rethinking decision-making and execution can help them truly get value from AI.”

By bringing together research, external perspectives, and peer dialogue, Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas will help IT leaders understand what it takes to apply AI more effectively across the enterprise. Attendees will leave with a stronger sense of how to support meaningful change in the way work is led, managed, and delivered.

Further updates on Info-Tech LIVE will be announced in the coming weeks. Follow Info-Tech Research Group on LinkedIn and X for more event-related news from the firm.

Media Passes for Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas
Journalists, podcasters, and influencers are invited to attend Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas. The event provides access to forward-looking research, exclusive interviews with Info-Tech’s analysts and executives, and on-the-ground perspectives from CIOs responding to emerging priorities.

Media professionals interested in applying for complimentary media passes can contact pr@infotech.com to request access and cover the latest IT leadership and strategy discussions from the event.

Exhibitor Opportunities at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas
Exhibitors are also invited to be part of Info-Tech LIVE and showcase their products and services to thousands of highly engaged technology executives. With 70% of attendees identified as decision makers and 1 in 3 at the C-level, the event offers an all-access pass and opportunities to meaningfully connect with senior technology leaders.

For more information about becoming an Info-Tech LIVE exhibitor, please contact exhibitorservices@infotech.com

About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is the “get things done” partner for over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing leaders worldwide. The fastest growing research and advisory firm, Info-Tech enables leaders to make well-informed decisions and transform their organizations through AI, strategic foresight, step-by-step methodologies, practical tools, industry-leading advisory, and training programs. For nearly 30 years, tens of thousands of private and public organizations have trusted Info-Tech to lead their most important initiatives through periods of change and deliver outcomes that truly matter.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s HR research and advisory services, visit McLean & Company, and for data-driven software buying insights and vendor evaluations, visit the firm’s SoftwareReviews platform.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chief-futurist-ian-beacraft-to-keynote-at-info-tech-live-2026-in-las-vegas-on-designing-ai-ready-organizations-302752989.html

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

Technology

Trace Systems Wins $64,000,000 U.S Army Follow-On Contract to Deliver Enhanced Deployable Communications Capabilities

Published

11 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

TAMPA, Fla., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trace Systems Inc. (Trace) has been awarded a five‑year, $64,000,000 follow‑on task order under the U.S. Army’s Global Tactical Advanced Communications Systems and Services (GTACS II) contract vehicle to continue delivering critical deployable communications capabilities and services support for U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and Western Hemisphere Command-Forward (WHC-FORWARD).

This award extends Trace’s longstanding support for USNORTHCOM’s Deployable Communications Capabilities Systems (DCCS) program, which provides the deployable communications backbone required for disaster response, and mission partner coordination across the USNORTHCOM area of responsibility (AOR). Trace continues to support this vital effort by providing technical support and integration for vehicle mounted mobile command platforms and SATCOM, radio, and other deployable communications systems.

Under the new task order, Trace will continue providing comprehensive services, including system design and modifications, technical refresh, unified communications, satellite and terrestrial transport support, cybersecurity compliance, vehicle integration, and full lifecycle sustainment of DCCS assets. This award highlights Trace’s expertise in modernizing, integrating, and maintaining deployable communications solutions, and supporting operational readiness and mission response for military operations, civil support operations, and exercises.

“USNORTHCOM and WHC-FORWARD’s missions demand a rapid response team capable of delivering mobile, interoperable communications between military forces and civilian response organizations for any mission or disaster relief effort,” said Kenneth Hilton, COO of Trace Systems. “Trace Systems is resolute in supporting a true ‘no fail’ mission and is honored to have supported the DCCS program over the past four years. We look forward to continuing to deliver mission critical communications and emergency response capabilities for USNORTHCOM and WHC-FORWARD.”

#TraceSystems #NORTHCOM #DeployableCommunications #MissionModernization #SATCOM

About Trace Systems
Trace Systems delivers technology-enabled, integrated multi-domain mission solutions, combining secure satellite communications, edge computing, digital modernization, and cyber-resilient architectures worldwide. From orbit to edge, Trace builds the backbone for tomorrow’s defense enterprise.

For more information, visit www.tracesystems.com/

For media inquiries, please contact:
Email: mediarelations@tracesystems.com
Phone: 813-793-7101

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trace-systems-wins-64-000-000-us-army-follow-on-contract-to-deliver-enhanced-deployable-communications-capabilities-302753048.html

SOURCE Trace Systems Inc

Technology

Driving the Future of Mobility with Technology: Chery at Beijing Auto Show 2026

Published

11 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

WUHU, China, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Beijing Auto Show 2026 opened on April 24, bringing together global automotive brands and advanced technologies. As a key barometer of the industry, the show serves as a platform for innovation and exchange. Chery Group appeared with its full brand lineup, including CHERY, EXEED, iCAUR, OMODA & JAECOO, and LEPAS. A total of 15 models made their global debut. The event welcomed over 4,000 guests from more than 100 countries, setting a new record for Chery in both scale and international reach.

At the show, Chery presented breakthrough technologies and a forward-looking strategy. Built on a global brand ecosystem, core technology development, and new energy innovation, the company demonstrated capabilities reshaping industry competition and setting new benchmarks for value creation.

Deepening Global Layout: A Multi-Brand Portfolio Reshaping the Industry Landscape

With a five-brand portfolio developed through years of overseas experience, Chery has formed a multi-scenario ecosystem. Each brand targets specific segments, shifting from broad coverage to precise positioning. Key debuts included Tiggo V, ES GT, EX8, OMODA 4, right-hand-drive V27, and L6 BEV, covering family, premium, and youth mobility needs. The brands operate in synergy, sharing resources and technologies to drive Chery’s shift from scale expansion to value upgrading.

Advanced Architecture Redefines the Upper Limit of Experience: Digital Chassis Breaks the Boundaries of Smart Mobility

Chery showcased next-generation architecture innovations. The Feiyu Digital Intelligent Chassis i integrates steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire, enabling 90 km/h moose test performance and zero-radius tank turns. The GAIA All-Domain System combines amphibious mobility with satellite communication, redefining the vehicle as an all-scenario mobility terminal. The industry-first full-domain 48V system improves efficiency by 15% and meets ASIL D safety standards.

Through continuous breakthroughs, Chery is evolving from a technology follower into a standards setter in global smart mobility.

Full-Chain Energy Efficiency Management Enables Technology Accessibility: System Innovation Addressing Global Mobility Challenges

Chery introduced a full life-cycle energy efficiency system. The KunPeng High Efficiency Engine achieves 48.57% thermal efficiency and 4.0 kWh/L conversion. The DHT360 hybrid system delivers up to 360 kW, enabling full-speed electric driving. The Rhino Battery offers high safety and fast charging, reaching 80% in 12 minutes. The system supports a more efficient and sustainable mobility future.

Website: https://www.cheryinternational.com

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2965344/Image1.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/driving-the-future-of-mobility-with-technology-chery-at-beijing-auto-show-2026-302753066.html